Tony McCoy to be honoured by the BBC this Sunday

Tony McCoy will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award at this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in Belfast on Sunday.

The 20-time champion jockey, who retired in April, dominated the National Hunt scene, winning virtually every major prize during his career, including the Grand National, two Gold Cups, three Champion Hurdles and the Champion Chase.

The Ulsterman became the first jockey to be crowned Sports Personality of the Year in 2010 after winning the Grand National at the 15th attempt when Don't Push It struck for trainer Jonjo O'Neill and owner JP McManus.

McCoy, who rode his first winner on Legal Steps at Thurles in March 1992, said: "To be receiving the Lifetime Achievement award is a big highlight of what has been an incredible year.

"It's a huge honour and I'm thrilled to be accepting it so close to home in Belfast.

"I'm looking forward to what will be a very special night."

BBC Sport director Barbara Slater said: "A previous Sports Personality of the Year winner and widely regarded as one of the greatest jockeys of all time, AP was the biggest superstar of racing until his retirement this year.

"It's an honour to celebrate his illustrious career here in Belfast, Northern Ireland, his home nation, with the Lifetime Achievement award."

The show will be broadcast live on BBC One from the SSE Arena, beginning at 6.50pm - the first time it has been hosted in Northern Ireland.